History & Facts

FOUNDED IN 1958, we were a single-story, 28-bed facility set within an orange grove on the banks of the Indian River. The land we stood upon was graciously donated by the prominent Parrish family. That same year, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) began operations at Cape Canaveral.

The rapid population growth in the 50s and 60s created increased demands for health care services. In 1964 we broke ground on our first major expansion with a seven-story, 96-bed patient tower. The patient tower was completed in 1966. By 1981 we needed to expand again increasing the total number of licensed beds to 210. In 1991 the emergency department was expanded. As the community continued to grow and change, so did the medical center. It was clear by the late 90s that the existing facility could not continue to meet the community’s needs. That marked the beginning of our journey to become One of America’s Finest Healing Environments®. In 2002, PMC introduced the first healing hospital of its kind to the community.

1958

Founded in 1958, North Brevard Hospital was a single-story, 28-bed facility set
within an orange grove on the banks of the Indian River. That same year, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) began operations at
Cape Canaveral.

Parrish Medical Center is named after the Parrish family of North Brevard who
first donated land for a community hospital in the 1930s and made another major
land gift in 1963. Parrish family members continue to remain involved with support
for the hospital's mission.

In response to the unprecedented growth, the hospital initiated its plans for a
major multistory expansion in 1961, starting with changing its name from
North Brevard Hospital to Jess Parrish Memorial Hospital, in honor of the
Parrish family who made a major land donation. Also after 1961, the NASA
program grew in importance when President John F. Kennedy announced plans
to place a man on the moon before the end of the decade. In 1963, the federal
government acquired land on Merritt Island, where they developed the 52-story
Vertical Assembly Building and the launch complex.

1964

The hospital broke ground on its first major expansion,
to include a seven-story, 96-bed patient tower. The seven-story patient tower was completed in 1966.

1981

By 1981 the hospital needed to expand again, increasing the total number of
licensed beds to 210. In 1990, the hospital changed its name from Jess Parrish
Memorial Hospital to Parrish Medical Center. As the community continued to
grow and change, so did the medical center.

1991

The medical center expanded its emergency department, and by the late
90s it was evident the existing facility could not continue to meet the
community's needs. Planning began for a replacement hospital. Construction on
the $80 million, 371,000 square-foot replacement hospital began in 2000.

2002

Just two years later, in 2002, Parrish Medical Center opened one of the nation's
first evidence-based healing hospitals. Today, hospital executives from around
the world visit Parrish Medical Center to learn how to create healing hospitals
in their communities.

2008

Parrish Medical Center turned 50 in 2008, and shows no signs of slowing
down. Vibrant with vision, the medical center continues to leave its mark on
the healthcare industry as a whole.

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